AGO OPINION YEAR: 2010

LAW ENFORCEMENT—LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES—Use Of Asset Forfeiture Funds For Accreditation And Reaccreditation Of Law Enforcement Agencies
Law enforcement agencies can use the net proceeds of asset forfeitures under RCW 10.105.010 for accreditation, reaccreditation, and necessary associated

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS—Scope Of Practice Of Occupational Therapy
The scope of practice for occupational therapists does not include the practice of sharp debridement.
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January 15, 2010
David M. Bernstein, DPM
Chairman, Podiatric Medical Board
Department of

GAMBLING—CHARITY—STATE EMPLOYEES—ETHICS IN PUBLIC SERVICE ACT—Raffles Conducted By State Employees For Charitable Or Benevolent Entity
1. RCW 9.46.0209 authorizes state employees to conduct charitable raffles, but such raffles may benefit a person or family in need through a qualified

COURTS, SUPERIOR—COUNTIES—LEGISLATURE—Authority Of County Legislative Authority To Eliminate A Superior Court Position Upon Occurrence Of A Vacancy
The state constitution vests authority in the legislature to direct the number of judges of the superior court. A county legislative authority

TAXATION—TAX LEVIES—TIMBER—TREASURER—Distribution Of Timber Excise Tax Revenues
When county timber excise tax revenues received during the third and fourth quarters of a year are insufficient to fully satisfy the first and second priorities for revenue distribution under RCW 84.33.081(2) and (4),

WAGES—DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES—PUBLIC EMPLOYEES—Application Of Wage Payment Act To Employees Of State And Local Governmental Agencies
The Wage Payment Act applies to complaints by state and local public employees.
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September 1, 2010
Judy Schurke

MINIMUM WAGE—Annual Adjustment Of Minimum Wage Following Decrease In Cost Of Living
Initiative 688 requires the Department of Labor and Industries to hold the minimum wage steady in years following a decline in the cost of living, until the cost of living returns to its previous peak.

PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT—EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES—CITIES AND COUNTIES—Whether A Property Tax Assessment Levied By A City Divided Between Two Counties Must Be Reduced Based Upon A Property Tax Levy Imposed By One County But Not The Other
If a city divided between two counties imposes a property

OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT—Meetings Of Committee Attended By Other Members Of Governing Body
The Open Public Meetings Act requires that notice be properly given of a meeting of the governing body. This requirement is not satisfied by notice given for a meeting of a standing committee of a city

COUNTIES—COUNTY TREASURERS—MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS—TAXES—INTEREST—Sweeping Interest And Investment Returns Into County Current Expense Fund
RCW 36.29.020 allows a county treasurer to allocate the interest and investment returns earned on the investment of a county’s own funds into the county